Nationwide pawn shop chain more than 3,000 years, pawnbrokers have helped working families meet the unexpected needs for short-term cash. The industry provides a safety net for over 30 million unbanked and underbanked Americans every year. Unlike traditional bank lines of credit, pawn transactions are based on pledged personal property and regulated by 14 federal statutes.

Pawn shops have been long thought to be dens for thieves and addicts, but the reality is that people who walk into a pawn shop need something as simple as quick cash to help pay their bills. They want to be treated with dignity and respect, not as a criminal or a swindler.

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A pawnshop is a retail store that buys and sells used items like jewelry, tools, musical instruments and other merchandise. It also makes small non-recourse loans secured by personal property. The average loan amount is less than $180 nationwide. The business serves cash and credit constrained consumers and is a component of the Standard & Poor’s MidCap 400 Index and the Russell 2000 Index.

EZCORP, INC operates a chain of pawnshops in the United States and Latin America. Its stores offer a variety of products such as electronics, tools, jewelry, watches and furniture. The company has a network of over 200 pawnshops in the United States.

The National Pawnbrokers Association is a trade organization that promotes and protects the interests of the pawnshop industry. It offers education, advocacy and legislative support for the industry. The association also provides a unified voice for its members on issues of common interest.